Canary Balconies – Within traditional Canarian architecture, one element that stands out above all the rest is the Canarian balconies.
This architectural element, present on the islands since the invasions and conquests of the Conquistadores, has gained such popularity that it has become a symbol of identity on Tenerife, like the Teide or Masca, and on the other Canary Islands.
Patios and galleries
Canarian balconies have undergone clear Andalusian and Portuguese influences and differ little from each other on each island. However, if we want to admire some fine examples, we should go to historical municipalities where mansions were built. Traditional balcones on Tenerife can be found in La Laguna and in La Orotava.
Canarian balcones can also occur on modest houses and buildings built in a later period. Consider Tenerife’s town halls. They all have one thing in common, they exude a symbol of status. The size, richness of forms and carvings are a clear exponent of the social stratum the owner was in.
The function of balconies is to provide more ventilation and shade in the house. When buildings are large enough to accommodate patios, it is common for balconies to surround these patios or form galleries. Balconies do not always hang from the facades.
Resistance and durability
They are usually located on the upper floors, as the ground floor is used as storage or warehouse, while the upper floors were used as living space. They protrude from the façade and are accessed through the house, unlike some balconies on the Spanish mainland, where an external staircase is provided.
It is common for Canarian balconies to be covered with a small roof – sometimes as a roll-out of the main roof and it is not uncommon for them to be enclosed with windows or wooden grilles. In terms of carvings, there are important differences, from the coarsest and simplest finishes on humble houses to authentic and finely carved works of art in wood on mansions.
Traditionally, Canarian balconies were made using wood found on the islands with sufficient resistance. Canary pine wood has a high density and low specific gravity compared to other types of wood. The disadvantage is that this type of wood contains a lot of resin and is difficult to work with. Its main advantage is its high resistance and durability under varying meteorological conditions, so many balconies are still preserved today.
A new style
Currently, the logging of Canary Pine in the Canary Islands is carefully monitored, as Pinus canariensis is of great environmental importance and is responsible for Tenerife’s drinking water supply. Carpenters and craftsmen now have to resort to other wood species with similar performance, such as American riga (melis pine) or iroko (African mulberry).
The first remains of these typical balconies were found after the conquest of the islands, when the colonisation process stabilised and new towns were founded. That, of course, is also when the development of architecture in the Canary Islands began.
It was the settlers who arrived on the islands that brought their customs and building techniques. Logically, these would be styles brought from Andalusia and Portugal, but carvings with Arabic and Roman influences were also used. Ship routes from northern Spain, mainly from the Basque country, brought elements to the islands, so elements were added to architecture and balconies in the Canary Islands. This created a new style that was decisive in the 16th century. In the following two centuries, this typical wooden structure continued to develop along with the economic development of the islands.
Colonial architecture developed in Peru or Cuba
Within Latin American colonial architecture, balconies can be found with similar characteristics to those of the Canary Islands, with a clear Arab influence. However, this influence cannot be direct, because at that time, in the 18th century, woodcarving had fallen into oblivion in Spain. Therefore, Canarian balconies are identified in historical descriptions and studies with a link to colonial architecture developed in Peru or Cuba. Logical when one knows that the Canary Islands was an obligatory stop on the many routes from the old to the new world.
More day trips are listed under Excursions.
Unknown © Photography
Canary balconies ©
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